Welcome to the Walton County Sheriff's Office Website

"We have been recognized as a leader in law enforcement innovation and have received state accreditation. The men and women of your sheriff's office have demonstrated a high degree of professionalism and a commitment to service to the citizens and visitors of this county. It is an honor and privilege to serve with them." ~ Sheriff Mike Adkinson

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office wants to raise $10,000 to install wheel chair swings that accommodate disabled citizens at several parks in Walton County. We are seeking the community’s help to assist us in this effort and have created an account for those who wish to donate. Inmates of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Jail will help with the preparation of each location and installation of the swings. Once all the money is raised, the work will begin. Sheriff Adkinson stated, “We have beautiful parks, but there is a need for disabled accessible play equipment. I hope the community will join our “Swing Team” and help us reach our goal to create parks that welcomes every one of all abilities to enjoy the fun.”
To donate, please visit: htt ...

Recently, a number of businesses within Walton, Okaloosa, and Bay Counties have discovered skimming devices installed on gas pumps and automated teller machines (ATMs). In Walton County, a credit card skimmer was found on a pump at a gas station in Inlet Beach. A skimmer is a device which is affixed to an ATM or gas pump which intercepts and retrieves credit card information. This information is then used to “clone” credit cards and is either sold or used by thieves to make fraudulent purchases without the owner’s knowledge.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is offering the following tips to residents:
Before pumping gas, check to ensure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and does not appear to have been tampered with or altere ...

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the public about a suspicious person who is impersonating himself as an Animal Control Officer with the sheriff’s office.
On Saturday, March 28, 2015, around 2:30 in the afternoon, a black male in his 40’s, approximately 6’2”, heavyset, bald head with a scruffy beard, parked an unmarked older model, beat up, white truck at the end of the complainants driveway in Ponce de Leon. He was described wearing a green shirt that said “Animal Control” and advised he worked for animal control and had a complaint. The complainant stated to deputies that he was very “pushy” and attempted to push past the complainant to go inside the residence. When the complainant stated they were going to call the police, the individual went to ...

On Saturday, March 21, 2015, deputies responded to the home of William Mitchell Golden, 46, of 1892 Flowerview Blvd, Laurel Hill, for an active warrant for failure to pay child support. Deputies located Golden and a second individual identified as Gregory Parmer, 51, of 6370 CO Hwy 147 Laurel Hill, in a shed located on the property. Golden was wearing a mask over his nose and mouth, along with safety googles. Deputies immediately smelled a strong chemical odor in the shed, and saw paraphernalia associated with the use of methamphetamine in plain view. Investigators with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Vice/Narcotics Unit arrived and performed a consensual search of the property. Several used “one-Pot” cooking vessels were found, along with a small a ...

Last night deputies responded to 180 Miami Street, Miramar Beach, in reference to an armed robbery. Deputies were advised by the victim, 22 year old Christopher Catlett of Hot Springs, AZ, that two men approached him while he was in his front yard and attempted to rob him. Deputies detained an individual based on a description given by Catlett. The WCSO K9 Unit responded to the area to begin a track to locate the other suspect, but was unsuccessful. Investigators advised Mr. Catlett that a full investigation into the matter would be conducted to verify the accounts of his story. At that time, Catlett became very nervous and had a hard time articulating how the armed robbery took place. Catlett revealed to investigators that he had fabrica ...

Sheriff Adkinson honored a Walton County resident today by presenting Mr. Michael Brower the Florida Sheriff's Association Distinguished Service Award. Sheriff Adkinson stated, "I am very proud to present this award to Mr. Brower who has supported the law enforcement community and FSA over the last 25 years.” ...

On January 31st, 2015, around 12:15 pm, C W Roberts employee, Mr. Eric Wright, a flag man, was manning a lane closure off SR 20 near Basin Bayou, while his co-workers were laying sod along the shoulder of the road. A Mercedes, which was stopped at the flag station, was rear ended and then side swiped by a Chevrolet SUV. The SUV came to a rest in the water on the North side of SR 20 in Basin Bayou. Mr. Wright made sure all traffic was stopped and checked to see if the woman in the Mercedes was injured. He notified his supervisor of the accident and without hesitation, swam out to the SUV to help the individual. When Mr. Wright reached the SUV he was unable to open the door, but instructed the driver to roll down the window. Mr. Wright pull ...

Within 17 minutes, Deputy Jeff McIntosh was able to locate a 92 year old female utilizing Project LifeSaver equipment. The caretaker called the Sheriff’s Office around 11:30 am on Sunday, March 15, stating that the 92 year old, who had just become a client with Project Lifesaver five days earlier, had walked away from her Santa Rosa Beach home. Deputy McIntosh responded to the area with the mobile tracking system and was able to locate her due to the pings that were transmitting from the clients personalized wristband. She was found in good health, sitting in a vehicle and was returned to her loved ones. Sheriff Mike Adkinson stated, “Minutes count when it comes to searching for a loved one and I am pleased that we have certified members in our agency to answer the ...

The Sheriff's Office is continuing saturation patrols in Miramar Beach with regard to the sexual battery of two teenagers by a white male who jumped out of the bushes wearing a green thong, flip flops, a ball cap and a sweatshirt. The incident occurred last night around 10 pm in the area of South Holiday Road and Scenic Gulf Drive. If anyone knows the identity of the individual in the picture, please call the Sheriff's Office immediately at 850.892.8111 or Crime Stoppers at 863-TIPS. ...

Deputies are conducting saturated patrols in the area of South Holiday Road and Scenic Gulf Drive in Miramar Beach. Around 10 pm this evening, a white male jumped out of the bushes wearing a green thong, flip flops, a ball cap and a sweatshirt, approached a group of females who are in their late teens and assaulted two of them. The male is described to be in his late forties. If anyone knows this individual, we are asking them to call the Sheriff’s Office immediately at 850.892.8111 or anonymously at emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com or 863.TIPS.
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Major Joseph Preston

Director of Law Enforcement Operations

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Major Joe Preston serves as Director of Law Enforcement Operations. Preston was previously Emergency Management Director until December 2013 when it was officially transferred to the Walton County Board of County Commissioners. He has served more than 10 years with the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Major Preston previously served with the Clay County Sheriff's Office in Kansas City, Mo. During his tenure as the WCSO EM Director, Major Preston led the Walton County recovery response to the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. He worked with many local, state, and federal agencies to manage the disaster and instil confidence in the WCSO's ability to manage emergencies.

Prior to entering the law enforcement field, Major Preston spent 20 years in the corporate world with the Fairbanks Scale Company as director of service operations. He previously worked for the Hill-Rom Company as executive director of service operations. His experience is focused in managing large, decentralized operations on a national scale.

Major Preston is an experienced Walton County Sheriff's Office deputy, and has served as a sergeant of patrol, sergeant of traffic, and lieutenant of training. He holds various trainer/instructor certifications including: firearms instruction, defensive tactics, communications, DWI instruction, traffic crash investigation, and traffic homicide investigation. In addition, he is an adjunct instructor for the CJSTC Basic Recruit Academy at Northwest Florida State College where he teaches line supervision, middle management, traffic crash and criminal investigations, communications, and firearms courses. Major Preston has also completed more than 30 courses related to EM, totalling more than 500 hours or coursework. He recently attended the Southern Police Institute in Louisville, KY for 13 weeks of intense police management training.

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What Our Community is Saying

I am grateful for the young lives that our sheriffs department have probably saved. Thanks for keeping your citizens and your spring breakers safe. Making a clear statement that underage drinking will not be tolerated prevents an untold number of crimes and injuries from happening. Y'all do an excellent job!

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The Walton County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Drug Free Workplace. If you need an accommodation because of a disability in order to participate in the application and selection process, please notify Human Resources in advance. Preference shall be given to certain veterans and spouses of veterans as provided by Chapter 295, Florida Statutes. Applicants claiming preference must submit a Form DD-214.